CITGO Petroleum Corporation believes in Fueling Good from its corporate social responsibility programs to its network of locally owned stations that give back to their communities. (PRNewsFoto/CITGO Petroleum Corp.) Facebook Twitter Pinterest

CITGO Petroleum Corporation believes in Fueling Good from its corporate social responsibility programs to its network of locally owned stations that give back to their communities. (PRNewsFoto/CITGO Petroleum Corp.)

HOMER, Mich., April 3, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Michigan-based CITGO Marketer Folk Oil raised more than $66,000 for local food banks through its fourth annual "Fight Hunger. Give Hope." campaign. From March 1 through March 15, 31 PS Food Mart stores in Michigan and Ohio focused their efforts on selling $1 and $5 paper hearts to benefit the South Central Michigan Food Bank, Toledo Northwest Ohio Food Bank and several local food pantries in communities where PS Food Mart operates. Since 2009, the "Fight Hunger. Give Hope." campaign has raised more than $200,000 to provide more than 1 million meals to families in need throughout the region.

"Thanks to the generosity of our loyal customers, our annual 'Fight Hunger. Give Hope.' campaign continues to help families get the nutrition that they need to survive," said Jim Linton, vice president at Folk Oil Company. "Each year, we get more creative with our fundraising methods, through bake sales or homemade jewelry sales. Thanks to this imaginative dedication, this year has been another successful one for the cause. We are so grateful to our customers, CITGO and our outstanding employees for their support. Without this combined effort, we would never have been able to feed so many families coping with hunger."

Proceeds from this year's "Fight Hunger. Give Hope." campaign will directly support regional food pantries, including the Spring Arbor Food Pantry in Spring Arbor, Mich.; Williamston Food Bank in Williamston, Mich.; Trinity Lutheran Church/King's Cupboard Pantry in Hillsdale, Mich.; Jackson Community Food Pantry in Jackson, Mich.; Crossroads Church/Bread of Life Food Pantry in Marshall, Mich.; and several other local food pantries in communities where PS Food Mart operates. On average, each of these pantries helps hundreds of families each week.

"Through the 'Fight Hunger. Give Hope.' campaign, Folk Oil has demonstrated the importance of recognizing and reacting to a need," said Bob Randels, executive director at the Food Bank of South Central Michigan. "The sheer number of donations that they collect each year is so impressive, and we are honored to accept this generous donation."

While many food banks receive generous donations around Thanksgiving and Christmas, the need for food lasts all year long. The "Fight Hunger. Give Hope." campaign aims to ensure that food banks have the resources to help families every day. To find out more about your local PS Food Mart, and for more information on the positive impact of PS Food Mart Charities in the communities they serve, please visit www.psfoodmart.com.

CITGO is committed to giving back to the local communities it serves through its network ofCITGO locations. CITGO Marketers and Retailers in Michigan, such as FolkOil, own and operate more than 300 CITGO locations and are proud to support their local organizations such as the Food Bank of South Central Michigan and Toledo Northwestern OhioFood Bank.